Words to know in a French work environment

Contrats, salaires, congés payés… In a French workplace, you will hear such terms thrown around often. TV5 Monde website offers a few helpful exercises to get yourself familiar with these crucial expressions!

GIVE MEANING TO YOUR WORK

Travail (work) comes from the Latin word "tripalium", which was actually a type of torture device! We can see that work therefore may have implied pain and suffering… Hopefully, the meaning has evolved. When we talk about work today, however, it generally has to do with salaires (wages), congés payés (paid holidays), and more. On the TV5 Monde website, you'll find a list on the relevant vocabulary, as well as fun exercises about how working conditions vary throughout the world.

WELCOME TO THE MONDE DU TRAVAIL!

That’s what we wish recent grads who are looking for a first job. Upon starting their job search, they enter the population active (workforce), which constitutes the demographic of people either looking for an emploi (job), or already working. People looking for a job must update their CV (resume) and prepare themselves well for any entretiens d'embauche (job interviews) that they might receive. Check out this series of exercises that help you learn the terminology needed to land yourself that job in a French workplace.

"AU BOULOT !" 

This expression means “Let's get to work!” To complete your language immersion, TV5 Monde offers audio exercises which go over useful expressions to use at work – this is a great way to foster and improve communication with your colleagues. In addition, you’ll need to be able to l

ocate stationery and other office items, such as une imprimante (a printer) or du papier (paper). Or maybe you just want to express your frustration at la photocopieuse (the photocopier)! In any case, this glossary will prove very useful.